Glasgow– Zero-emission, hydrogen-powered commercial vehicle innovator, Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS), today invites fleet operators to register expressions of interest in trialing its state-of-the-art, clean-sheet-designed hydrogen-electric Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) prior to purchasing.
Highlights
- Supported trials are set to commence Q4 2025 once the exhaustive pre-production prototyping phase is completed and the HGVs are ready to enter volume production.
- Fleet operators offered extensive trial periods to test & evaluate the HVS hydrogen-electric HGV
- Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS) is a new UK-based hydrogen vehicle emerging OEM and innovator in the heavy-duty commercial vehicle segment
- HVS’ Hydrogen Goods Vehicle (pictured) is a 40-tonne HGV technology demonstrator, with unique powertrain and radical cab design, making it the first indigenous UK Hydrogen HGV, designed and built from the ground up
- Class-leading 370-mile (600-kilometer) range – can be refueled in 20 minutes
- A reinvention of commercial vehicle design, aimed at optimizing range, payload, weight distribution, direct vision, aerodynamics, and ergonomically practical cab design, produces a sector-leading vehicle
- HVS’ strategic investor, EG Group, enables route-to-market through fleet operator connections and infrastructure development via their international refueling site network
- HGVs are the second largest contributors to UK transport emissions. They make up a disproportionate amount of road transport emissions (18%) whilst only contributing 5% of vehicle mileage. HGV numbers are increasing on the roads, so this emissions figure is likely to increase.
- Fuelled by close-coupled green hydrogen (hydrogen produced directly by renewable energy sources such as hydro, wind, or solar).
HVS will be showcasing both its MCV (Medium Commercial Vehicle) and HGV technology demonstrators at the ITT Hub, Farnborough 10th and 11th of May.
Supported trials are set to commence in Q4 2025 once the exhaustive pre-production prototyping phase is completed and the HGVs are ready to enter volume production in the UK.
Fleet operators will be offered extensive trial periods to test the hydrogen-electric HGV tractor unit, putting it through its paces and evaluating how the zero-emission vehicle will perform within their fleets.
Jawad Khursheed, CEO of HVS said: “In response to the huge levels of interest we have received from fleet operators we are inviting them to register expressions of interest in trialing our Hydrogen Goods Vehicle on the HVS website.
“We understand the challenges of introducing disruptive technology such as zero-emission trucks to the logistics sector, so we will be offering extensive trials to fleet operators so they can thoroughly evaluate the technology and understand how it will perform within their fleets before they purchase our vehicles, which will help them achieve their environmental targets.
Hydrogen is the perfect fuel for the haulage industry, offering long-range and quick refueling thanks to stations being easily integrated into existing key transport networks, and we’re keen to help prospective customers learn all about this exciting technology.”
HVS revealed its 40-tonne HGV technology demonstrator complete with a game-changing hydrogen-electric powertrain in April, underlining the company’s objective of being the first indigenous UK-designed and developed hydrogen-electric HGV on the market.
Founded in 2017, in Glasgow, HVS focuses on the ground-up design and development of zero-emission hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles. The company comprises industry specialists, with vast experience in the automotive, energy, hydrogen technology, power electronics, sustainability, and environmental management fields.
With government targets to curtail sales of all non-zero emission 3.5 -26t HGVs set to come into play by 2035 or earlier and all sales of new non-zero emission HGVs by 2040, HVS and its world-leading technology have the potential to play a crucial role in allowing emissions reduction targets to be achieved.
The company also has a defined route to market. In addition to funding from the Advanced Propulsion Centre, Innovate UK, CCAV, Scottish Enterprise and Energy Technology Partnership, HVS’ strategic investment partner is the service station and grocery corporation, EG Group, offering hydrogen refueling infrastructure, fleet customer base, and the potential for global scalability.
Breaking the mold
HVS’ tractor units will be built on an all-new chassis, designed in-house around the hydrogen powertrain, which consists of pressurized hydrogen cylinders, twin fuel cells, a high-power energy storage system and an electrified rear axle.
Designed in-house by Pete Clarke, Head of Design, who has a wealth of experience designing commercial vehicles that he brings to bear on HVS’ striking truck designs, the unique ground-up design brings innovation in packaging, performance, efficiency, weight, range, consumption, maintenance, and lifecycle benefits. The technology demonstrator’s unique design allows significantly improved aerodynamics compared with current Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) trucks. Consequent benefits include enhanced fuel efficiency on long-haul runs and improved spatial ergonomics within the cab, including better access and more room at the controls, not to mention sector-leading aesthetics.
Driver comfort is taken care of, and stress levels are reduced, all contributing to a safer and more efficient operational experience. Confidence-inspiring too, since the driver will be well aware that they are abreast of the latest technology.
The state-of-the-art fuel cell stack
HVS’ vehicle powertrain employs a fuel cell system and energy storage system to deploy electricity to an electric motor to transmit power to the wheels. It uses the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) to recapture energy under braking and while the truck is slowing down.
The integrated powertrain is controlled with HVS’ advanced control system ‘SEMAS,’ which monitors interactions between drivers and control systems, delivering class-leading fuel efficiency and durability.
The fuel cell permits longer range, higher load-carrying capacity, and faster refueling than would be possible using battery-electric technology alone: typical refueling time is comparable to diesel, around 20 minutes to replenish the high-pressure hydrogen tanks. It is in the long-distance HGV segment that hydrogen fuel cells offer the most advantages.
The only emission from the vehicle is water vapor, meaning there are no harmful greenhouse gas emissions of any kind.
Long ranges and quick fill-ups
Depending on the journey – the route traveled, road conditions, and driving style – HVS’ HGV has the capacity to travel up to 370 miles (600km).
Hydrogen-powered vehicles do not need charging like battery-powered Electric vehicles. They are refueled with hydrogen gas, and stored at a pressure in hydrogen cylinders. Refueling takes a much shorter time than charging an equivalent battery vehicle and is comparable to filling a truck with diesel (about 15 to 20 minutes). Many hydrogen fuelling stations will be located at existing commercial vehicle forecourts, using dispensers that look very similar to conventional petrol and diesel ones, but with a different nozzle.
UK-based production
HVS is Headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland, and is undertaking development work at Horiba MIRA, Nuneaton, Warwickshire. HVS envisages that it will open an R&D, engineering and pilot production facility alongside a permanent UK-based production facility. A workforce of circa 600 employees is predicted across all key disciplines, with many recruits coming from the automotive and aerospace industries. It’s likely that a further 10,000 workers will be involved in the UK supply chain, boosting the skills base.
Thanks to their fresh thinking and ground-up approach, HVS has created an HGV that offers the complete package; from game-changing technology and driver ergonomics to easy maintenance, all packaged into a striking design. EG Group’s investment secures crucial hydrogen fuelling infrastructure and a route to market.
Source: AJOT
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